Residents protest against water shortages in Westbury on 11 September. (Photo: Fani Mashuntsi / Gallo Images) 
What’s behind the hold-ups?
Across provinces, poor contractor and implementing agent performance is the most common cause of delay, appearing in nearly every case.
KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo are the most affected by planning failures, irregularities and funding constraints, which have caused projects to drag on for years.
Community unrest, site intimidation and vandalism are recurring issues in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West, often halting work and damaging completed infrastructure.
Gauteng’s challenges are mainly technical and procurement-related, while Western Cape’s main desalination project suffers from funding and contractual disputes rather than systemic planning failures.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ED_514607.jpg "Residents queue for water in Swazi township on 30 July 2024 in Daveyton, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / OJ Koloti)")
The delayed projects
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ED_572820.jpg "Residents protest against water shortages in Westbury on 11 September 2025. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20V7875.jpg "A tank delivers water to residents of Hammanskraal. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla")